Remeber the Milestones: Hello 2025!

Happy New Year! We thank God for taking us through the year gone by. 

Nelson Mandela once said, “Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.” Milestones are important markers in our life's journey. The use of the word “milestones” dates to the Romans who erected stone markers at mile intervals to notify those passing by of distances traveled and the number of miles left to reach their destination. Apparently, marking milestones was important to God too. In the book of Joshua Chapter 4, God instructed Joshua to set up stones of remembrance as the children of Israel journeyed through the Jordan with the ark of the covenant.

When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua,  “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”

So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites,  to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever” (Joshua 4: 1-7).

As the year ended, I spent some time reflecting on 2024 and the major events of the year. For my family and me, it was a year of many milestones -- what with three graduations and a golden jubilee celebration! I am very grateful to God for all His wonderful blessings toward us.

One thing we learned to do was to stop and celebrate every milestone – big and small. Too often, we set goals, we meet the goals, then we move right on to the next thing without thanking the One who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Do not wait for the “big” milestones to appreciate God and celebrate yourself. Sometimes we are so focused on achieving a goal, we miss the incremental steps that take us to our destination.

When we accomplish a goal, we should stop, take time to honor God, and commemorate the moment anyhow we deem fit. Then we move on to greater things.

However, as you celebrate each milestone, do not tarry too long there. There is another victory to be won, another height to climb. Let each milestone be a springboard to the next. 2024 is gone. 2025 is here. What will you do with it?

 

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

 

Happy Easter!

And they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

 - John 3:16

Merry Christmas!

The Invitation

 We live in a world that appears to play down on testimonies of the mighty acts of God. People would rather brandish their accomplishments as a sheer act of will, self-determination, or hard work. But not for us children of God! We know better!! We recognize that there is nothing we have that we were not given. We acknowledge that it is God who gives us the power to make wealth. Many of us like Paul can say truthfully “I am what I am by the grace of God.” 

This Thanksgiving make sure to celebrate God’s goodness. 

Eat all the turkey you can, but take time also to acknowledge God for His faithfulness to you and your family. Take it a step further, extend an invitation to someone to come and see what the Lord has done in your life. Your testimony may bring someone closer to God like nothing else can! Happy Thanksgiving Family!

Unwrap Your Gift!

 

 

Christmas and its traditions! First you go in search of the gift. If you are lucky, you find the gift you have imagined the recipient would love. Then comes the wrapping part! For some this is an easy task, they have the requisite skill. For some others like me, gift wrapping is a struggle. 

 

Many years ago, a friend of mine sent me a gift. The package was so beautifully wrapped that I let it sit on my table for a few days so I can just drink in the sheer beauty and creativity of the wrapping! Eventually I had to open it. There was no other way to get to the content hidden within the creative packaging. 

 

Many of us may be letting our Christmas gift sit on the dresser while we stand afar and admire it. The main gift of Christmas is Jesus Christ, the gift given to us by our loving Father. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

 

Jesus is the Gift of Christmas. We must receive Him and unwrap all the gifts He brings.

 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!” Luke 2:14 BSB

 

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10–11 KJV

Salvation, Joy, and Peace are all yours through Jesus, only if you will unwrap your gift!

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2023 Ahead!

 

To Whom Shall We Give Thanks?

    

The mood of Thanksgiving is in the air. The stores are filling up with turkeys and pies. Travel arrangements concluded, bags packed, all that is left is to hit the road, or hop on the plane as the case may be, in joyful anticipation of spending time with the people that mean the most to us in the world; family!

As we echo the need to be thankful this season, my heart ponders on one question: Who is the object of our thanks? So many approach Thanksgiving as an abstract concept. However, the very thought of Thanksgiving should make us consider that there is someone or something deserving of our thanks. The question then becomes “Who is your source?” “Who sustains you?” “Who gives you the strength to make wealth?” From where does your wisdom come? When you close your eyes to sleep, who wakes you up again on this side of eternity? When you were sick, who healed you? When men failed you, who stood by you? Who is the one that covered your shame, and made you fig clothes to hide your nakedness, even though you sinned and broke His commandments? Who maintains a relationship with you at His own expense, haven made arrangements to have you with Him forever and ever?

The list is endless! It is the Lord who preserves us! Because of His mercies, we are not consumed! The Psalmist said, “I will look up to the hills from whence cometh my help, my help comes from The Lord, the maker of the heavens and the earth” We call Him "Father" Guess what that means; Source and sustainer! God is the source of all things created, and the Bible says He holds all things together by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). On a personal note, God is the source of my life, and He is the one who preserves and sustains me. I am what I am by the grace of God, and apart from Him I can do nothing! Surely He is deserving of my thanks.

This Thanksgiving, as you offer up thanks, let your thanks go first to The Lord, and then appreciate the ones who agreed to be used by Him to be a blessing to you. 

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

Celebrating Fathers

 Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures in the house! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Being a mother is more than just a title

More than the act of bearing a child 

It’s a privilege and an honor, a journey worth the while

Like a gardener digging up the earth below

A mother’s seeds are bound to grow 

Mom thank you for being a woman I can look up to

I learned to work hard by watching you work 

Thank you for being my teacher, imparting wisdom from above 

Thank you for everything you do to show us you care.

Your sacrifice and generosity speak of love like nothing else can!

My mother, ever so observant—

Reading rooms, sensing moods, seeing through the façades 

You are not afraid to correct, rebuke, or exhort

You give, give, and give again.

My prayer for you is that you’ll reap what you sow 

When you laugh, it’s lively and contagious,

Changing the atmosphere, bringing the cheer

Mom, you are beautiful inside and out 

And I love you more than these words can say

Happy Mother’s day to the woman with a heart of gold  

You are a rare gem the world is yet to behold

I am just grateful to have you in my life

To have your hand to hold, when the night is cold

God bless you Mom, now and forevermore.

 "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'" 

~  Proverbs 31:28–29:

Love Lifted Me

 

 

I was sinking deep in despair 

It was love that stooped and lifted me.

I was exposed, naked and ashamed 

But love covered me!

This is what love really means:

Love is patient with me when I am slow

Love is kind to me when kindness matters the most

When I am left all alone, only Love remains

More than a mother to her baby, Love clings to me!

Constantly I hear Him whisper 

 “I will never leave you or forsake you”

 “I will be with you to the very end”

Haven been so loved, what must I do then?

Forgiven, restored, accepted in the beloved, I must go love another. 

For love gives love, so says the Holy Book! 

 

 

                   

There remaineth these three; faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love   (1 Corinthians 13:13).

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Who is Traveling with You This Year?

Congratulations on making it into the new year! We thank God for the gift of life and His grace that keeps keeping us. We rest assured that God spared us because He has good plans for us. “For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). Based on this word, expect good things this year, expect prosperity in your undertakings, keep hope alive, do not despair. Another version says: “He will bring you to your expected end.” Believe Him; believe God’s Word spoken to you.

For success in our journey this year, it is important that we engage the promises of God in our lives. His name is Emmanuel – God with us. Moses invoked that name unknowingly when he prayed for the Lord’s presence to accompany them as they traveled to the Promised Land; “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 - 15). God’s promise did not end with Moses. God said to Joshua as He says to you today; “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life." As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).

God loves you very much and desires to have an intimate relationship with you. In this new year, God does not only want to show you the right path, He wants to personally accompany you on your journey! He wants to be in your thoughts through His Word as you make important decisions that will affect your life and destiny. You do not know what lies ahead but the Lord knows. God wants to help you choose right and avoid unnecessary pitfalls. He wants to order your steps and whisper behind your ears “This is the way, walk ye in it.” He wants to be there to encircle you and protect you from the roaring lion. He wants to ward off every fiery dart the enemy may shoot in your direction. We have confidence that with God on our side, no weapon fashioned against us shall prosper! The icing on the cake is that He promised to give you rest (peace) regardless of the path He leads you through.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." ~ Isaiah 43:2

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

My Christmas Gift

Jesus is the gift of the Father to mankind

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He did not come empty handed - The angel announced Jesus and the gifts He brought with Him

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:8 -16).

Jesus is the Anointed Savior born to redeem mankind from sin and its consequences and restore our relationship with the father of all creation. He gives us peace, joy, and love in this earthly sojourn. He fills us with the hope of spending eternity with God in heaven.

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29: 13). 

The shepherds thought it a good idea to search out this thing they had heard. They came looking for Jesus, they found Him wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger. Why not search for Jesus like the shepherds did? Don’t be a half-hearted seeker, seek the Lord with all your heart! When you seek Him diligently you will find Him.

Receive Jesus and the gifts He brings.

Not everyone is a good receiver. Some people are uncomfortable with receiving from others because they worry about being indebted rather than enjoying the heart of the giver. 

Why not receive Jesus, and the Joy, Peace, and Love that He offers you today?

Watch out for distractions this season! 

Beware! The devil wants to steal what you have been given. Do not allow the distractions of the season steal your joy or peace. Enjoy Christmas with your loved ones. Do not stir up or breed strife in your heart and home in an attempt to celebrate Christmas with man-made superfluity. Revel in the gift of the Savior and the many blessings that are ours to enjoy. 

Just as it is today, the world was in turmoil when Jesus was born. Jesus came with good news and a message of hope in the midst of chaos.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27). 

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

 

 

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Hurray! Another Thanksgiving holiday is here! I am grateful to God for the privilege of salvation, to be able to call Him my Father is priceless to me. To have His Holy Spirit living in me, accompanying me on my journey is the icing on the cake!

I thank God for life! Much more than ever, I appreciate the value of being numbered among the living. I thank God for family and friends kept by the mighty hand of God. God has preserved us through these tough months of the pandemic. He healed our bodies when we were sick. He gave us peace that calmed our fears. He strengthened our hearts and gave us grace to deal with any losses we may have experienced. He put food on our tables and some more in our pantries. He kept a  roof over our heads! 

                 

As you celebrate thanksgiving with your family, let your heart align with your words. Ruminate on the goodness of God. Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord. The psalmist said:

That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever (Psalm 30:12).